The decision regarding the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm, set to become one of Europe’s largest solar farms, has been delayed until December.
The decision regarding the proposed Sunnica Energy Farm, set to become one of Europe’s largest solar farms, has been delayed until December.
The ambitious project, spanning approximately 2,500 acres across villages in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, is awaiting approval from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, with the initial decision deadline of 28 September now pushed to 7 December.
Sunnica Limited, the driving force behind this venture, has assured that they will continue to furnish any requisite information. The energy farm is designed to comprise three distinct sites, interconnected by subterranean cables, ultimately linking to the National Grid at Burwell substation. These sites are situated near West Row and Mildenhall (Sunnica East Site A), south of Worlington village (Sunnica East Site B), and north of the A14, near Newmarket (Sunnica West Site A).
According to Sunnica, the solar farm is projected to have a lifespan of 40 years, with the reclaimed land reverting primarily to its original agricultural purpose upon completion. The company asserts that the facility would have the capacity to power a staggering 172,000 households and generate 1,500 employment opportunities during its construction phase. Following completion, 27 full-time positions would be required to oversee the farm’s operations.
However, the proposal has not been without its share of controversy, drawing criticism for potentially conflicting with the character of the surrounding areas. Both East Cambridgeshire and Suffolk County Councils have expressed opposition to the plans in the past.
A spokesperson for Sunnica emphasized the imperative for the UK to double its renewable energy generation by 2050. They firmly believe that Sunnica’s venture would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. The company remains committed to collaborating with the Secretary of State, offering all necessary information to facilitate the determination of their Development Consent Order (DCO) application.
As the decision date looms, the fate of the £600m Sunnica Energy Farm hangs in the balance, with stakeholders and communities keenly awaiting the Department’s verdict on this landmark project in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions.